Chapter 1 - THE WOMAN BENEATH THE MAFIA BOSS'S DESK
My husband's next words made the most dangerous man in Chicago stop moving.
"That woman stole something from you, Mr. Moretti."
Under the enormous walnut desk, I pressed both hands against my mouth.
Alexander Moretti didn't answer immediately.
I could see only his polished black shoes and the sharp crease of his charcoal trousers.
But I heard the change in his breathing.
"What did she steal?"
Derek laughed nervously.
"Information. Confidential documents. She's been acting strangely for weeks."
My stomach dropped.
It was another lie.
Derek had been accusing me of stealing things for months.
Money from his wallet.
His watch.
Important paperwork.
Whenever something disappeared, he blamed me.
Sometimes I later found those things exactly where he'd hidden them.
Alexander leaned forward.
"Interesting."
Derek seemed encouraged.
"She's unstable. I've been trying to get her help."
"Has she been diagnosed with anything?"
A pause.
"Well, not officially."
"Then you're making accusations without evidence."
Derek's voice tightened.
"She's my wife."
"That doesn't answer my question."
Silence.
Then Alexander moved his chair slightly backward.
"Emily?"
My heart stopped.
He wasn't looking beneath the desk.
He was giving me a choice.
"Would you like to speak?"
I swallowed.
For three years, Derek had controlled almost every conversation I was allowed to have.
Now, somehow, a stranger was asking whether I wanted to use my own voice.
"Yes," I whispered.
Derek immediately stepped forward.
"Emily, get out here."
One of Alexander's men blocked his path.
"Stay where you are."
I crawled out slowly.
My knees shook.
One foot was bare. The other still wore a navy heel.
I must have looked ridiculous.
Alexander stood.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with blond hair brushed neatly back and pale blue eyes that seemed capable of noticing everything.
He removed his suit jacket and offered it to me.
"May I?"
I nodded.
He draped it gently over my shoulders without touching my injured wrist.
Derek's face darkened.
"She's coming with me."
I flinched.
Alexander noticed.
"Emily," he said quietly, "do you want to leave with him?"
My lips trembled.
"No."
One word.
But it felt like the first real decision I'd made in years.
Alexander turned toward Derek.
"You heard her."
Derek's smile disappeared.
"You can't interfere in my marriage."
"I can decide who remains in my office."
Derek stepped closer.
"You don't understand. Her father owed my family money."
My blood went cold.
My father?
He'd died when I was seventeen.
Derek continued.
"Her father took something that belonged to the Moretti organization. I married Emily to settle that debt."
The room fell silent.
Alexander's expression changed completely.
"What was her father's name?"
Derek swallowed.
"Jonathan Carter."
Alexander went perfectly still.
For several seconds, he looked as though someone had struck him.
Then he slowly turned toward me.
"Emily Carter?"
I nodded.
His voice became almost unrecognizable.
"Your father was Jonathan Carter?"
"Yes."
Alexander closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, there was something devastating in his expression.
Then he whispered:
"Your father saved my life."
May you like
And after one terrible pause, he added:
"I was told his daughter died eleven years ago."
